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Relocation, relocation, relocation

25 January 2008

Paul Clarke

Middle East virgin and fretting about a move to the region? Relocation expert Shirley Morrison offers some handy hints on what to expect.

What’s the first step when someone approaches you with a view to a move?

Find out what their budget is. Once we establish that I can give them some idea of what they can expect when they move here.

Where do most of your clients come from?

Mainly from the UK, although I also have clients from the US, Canada, Europe, Pakistan and India.

What are the biggest challenges in relocating someone?

Managing their expectations. The media has inflated people’s expectations of what Dubai can offer. Some people think we all live in mansions, have three housemaids, a driver and sit in the sun all day. In reality, rentals have risen, inflation has increased and it’s not as luxurious as perhaps it once was, and you have to make people understand that.

So, how does cost of living compare to western locations?

Over the years we have definitely become on a par with the US and the UK. There are still cheap things like buying a car and home help, but the cost of living as a whole is fairly similar to western locations.

Are there any culture shocks?

Not really, it’s a very cosmopolitan city. You do, however, have to follow the rules. There’s a no-tolerance policy on drink driving for example, and you can face severe punishment if caught.

All the financial services firms offer healthcare and schooling as part of their benefits packages, but are these actually any good?

The schools are fantastic – they’re all private schools so the kids get a great education. Though there is some room for improvement in the medical facilities, generally they’re pretty good.

Shirley Morrison is managing director of Executive Expatriate Relocations. Clients include Fortis Investments and Fitch Ratings.

Comments (11)

I think that the Investment Bankers that are working in the whole GCC area, are getting one of the best experiences that history could possibly give in a developing market. Real Progress! Real Cultural Learning and Real Money!

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Comments (11)

  • shirley, if you were being totally honest, you should also be telling your clients that the middle east is a one way ticket to mediocrity as little real work is done there.

    hedgie 25 Jan 2008

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  • To Hedgie!  Please do not judge people for your own self, or experience.  I do not know where you got this idea from, that in Dubai little work is done!  LOL Seriously, don't make me laugh.

    I think that the Investment Bankers that are working in the whole GCC area, are getting one of the best experiences that history could possibly give in a developing market.  Real Progress!  Real Cultural Learning and Real Money!

    True is that we do not get so squeezed and humillated like our counterparts in NYC or London, for example.  We do get a much better balance in life, as Dubai offers a great nightlife, full of restaurants, clubs, lounges, pubs, etc....not to mention the beach and increasingly sports and cultural events (also true that there is room to improve here).

    My dear Hedgie, and all the rest that believe that getting exploited, and basically humilliated in an IB in NYC or London, es excellency...LOL LOL  My friends...I kindly invite  you to reconsider your definitions and priorities in life!

    Best of luck with the descovering of what really is a good and should be relevant in life!  Hopefully it is not too late!!!!!

    Me 29 Jan 2008

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  • to ME. I didn't say that little work was done. What I said was that little REAL work was done. other than nightlife which is plenty and better in NYC or London, how much real money can you make in Dubai? Until you come back with 6 figure mega bonuses, I would suggest you go back and enjoy the fantasy land and mediocrity that is ... Dubai

    hedgie 04 Feb 2008

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  • Dubai is the place where the world is happening, if you are on Private Banking, Asset Management or Investment Banking this is the place to be. Lifestyle is also great, Indians and Pakistani use to be very underpaid compared to Westerns and for this reason use to be harsh critics of Dubai, it's true life can be very tough for them here, even so Dubai is a fantastic place to be and ake lots of money.

    Dubai Manager 04 Feb 2008

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  • To Hedgie and all the Losers that think that working like a Dog is Excellency!

    I have lived and work in both NYC and London, and you are right..Nightlife in both places is simply great!  Not better than Dubai, though.  We are not talking about money (though I really doubt you can make more money in NYC or London, in PPP), but we are talking about who is someone smart, that knows what the real success in life is!  Maybe that is too much for some people to understand, and I wil assume you, Hedgie, are one of those.

    Best of Luck!

    Me 05 Feb 2008

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  • to ME. you live in a fantasy land if you think people in NYC and London make less money than in Dubai. Your ignorance is bliss, but only to you. You think dubai is at par with NYC and London ? Do you even have a finance background? I doubt it.

    Hedgie 06 Feb 2008

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  • To Hedgie!

    Plese get a life!  For your information I am CFA Charter Holder and a LBS Master in Finance Graduate!

    Do me a favor, and do not even compare to me! You should be thankful, I am even trying to help you open your eyes.

    Good Luck!

    Me 09 Feb 2008

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  • Comparing myself to you, as you said, I'm surprised you talk like that if you are from LBS. Anyway there were always a bunch of jokers in my Mif classes. I'll bet you were one of them. I think you ought to go smoke some of the pushtun grass, and I am really shocked they let you into LBS.

    hedgie 11 Feb 2008

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  • to ME, I would bet you are one of those people who applied during the milk rounds to all the bulge bracket and got dinged. That's why you went back to Dubai, and are probably still unemployed

    hedgie 11 Feb 2008

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  • Having been in the ME for several years now, after prolonged spells in London and Hong Kong, I can safely say that on average (and there are exceptions) the calibre of people and quality of work in capital markets here is "poor" at best regardless of the paper academic qualifications that many staff possess.(which as we all know has never been a good measure of bottom line career success).Lifestyle aside, if you want real emerging market capital markets experience in almost any sub sector you'd be better off in real emerging markets in Latam and Asia. There is just no comparison .

    Veteran, Investment Management ME 21 Feb 2008

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